Season review wide receiver edition Mikey Matthews

Mikey Matthews was one of the many transfers to Deshaun Foster brought in for the 2025 season. Coming over from the Cal Golden Bears, he was seen as a receiver who could step in for whoever would be at quarterback. Giving them an extra weapon on offense that has faced elite defenses. That quarterback wound up to be Nico Iamaleava, as he would transfer to UCLA a few months later. The UCLA offense was shaping up to be pretty good with transfers and returning pieces.

Matthews was on his third team in as many years as he spent 2023 in Utah, before his one season with Cal and then ultimately to UCLA for 2025. His versatility is something that can help with rosters. As not only can he play multiple receiver positions. He also returns punts and kicks. Before committing to Utah out of Mission Viejo High School, Matthews was a four-star recruit. Where he starred for the team there, having over 3,000 all-purpose yards in his high school career.

The UCLA offense battled inconsistency all season. It doesn’t help that there were multiple play callers. Mixed in with conservative plays to combat struggling offensive line play. Matthews final line of 33 catches for 348 yards and two touchdowns may seem minuscule. But he is another player that in the right system could thrive. He is an intriguing player that can be kept around if Bob Chesney so chooses. Giving him the opportunity to move him around and get him in space to utilize his attributes.

Matthews is another player who has not given any indication on his future. He is currently a Bruin and is not in the portal. That may change or it may not. He has mentioned UCLA being close to home was a factor in his transfer decision last year. Transferring to UCLA alongside another Cal skill player in Jaivian Thomas. Two players that we believe will only get better if they decide to stay at UCLA and see the coaching change through. We will start to get more word once James Madison's season is completed.